University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball stays perfect at tournament

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Bluffton Today

Miles Galvin and USC Beaufort are 2-0 in the Sun Conference tournament.-File photo

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The prospect of another spirited postseason run remained good for the University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team on Thursday, as the No. 6 seed Sand Sharks rallied for a 3-1 win over No. 3 seed St. Thomas at City of Palms Park.

Ashly Morris delivered a two-out, two-run double to plate the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth inning and starter Hunter Englehart and reliever Kyle McCullough combined on a four-hitter as USCB remained undefeated in the conference tournament.

The Sand Sharks (25-21) fell behind early, as Englehart walked the first two batters of the game and one came around to score for a 1-0 Bobcats lead. St. Thomas didn't score again, though, as Englehart settled in and pitched six strong innings for the win and McCullough retired all nine batters he faced to lock down the save.

After leaving six men on base through the first three innings, the Sand Sharks went in order in the fourth and fifth against St. Thomas starter Emilio Ogando.

USCB finally broke through in the sixth, as Terry McClinton singled and Brandon Joyce doubled to move two runners into scoring position. Morris ripped a two-out double down the left-field line to plate both runs and give the Sand Sharks the lead.

The Sand Sharks tacked on another run in the seventh on Ryan Walker's sacrifice fly, and the Bobcats never threatened against McCullough.

USCB's next game is scheduled for 1 p.m. today against Southeastern or Webber International. A win in that game would move the Sand Sharks into the championship game.